Message Number: SG845 | New FHL Archives Search
From: mjanke@miamiferret.org
Date: 2002-06-03 14:21:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Expressing bladder
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <9590373.1029589482805.JavaMail.root@scandium>

Author wrote:
> My fuzzy Boozer seems to be having problems going potty and I'd like some
> information on how to express his bladder

The following appeared on the old Ferret-Health-List on Yahoo I believe, written by one of our moderators, Troy Lynn.

Of course Boozer is being seen by a vet, right? Expressing alone is not the answer and he should be getting treatment to correct the real problem.

Here's TLE's post...

From: Troy Lynn Eckart

Before expressing someones bladder I run very warm water over their
abdomenal area. This helps to loosen them a bit, and has helped to loosen
mucus plugs as well. I try for 10 minutes of very warm water and gentle
massage.

Then -
Put your fingers on each side of the abdomen from the front and gently
squeeze and run them up and down. Do this several times. Do you feel
something that feels like a water balloon and pops out from under your
grip when you go upward? If so that should be the bladder.

Now that you've located the bladder which should be middle lower area
going upward, don't be afraid of squeezing firmly. The bladder is
like a piece of elastic in our slacks, it stretches when we get in
(bladder stretches when filled) then it snaps back when we are out of them
(or it should anyway). So start at the bottom, follow the bladder up to
the top and just before it pops out from your grip, squeeze gently but
firmly while moving your hand downward. Sometimes it helps in the
position you place the ferret, with them stretched out a bit or dangling
over paper. Watch your others and try for a more normal position. If
you have a vet book that shows where the bladder and urethra are located
you might get a better idea of the positioning. If your hands are large
you can probably express from the backside but mine are small so front is
easier for me. That means I get pee'd on but it all comes off in the
wash!

Healing hugs. tle
Troy Lynn Eckart
Ferret Family Services
http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~sprite/ffs.html
http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Haven/5481/